BIOS Feature Descriptor Preconfiguration for Server Boot

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Server boot-up procedures, including BIOS execution and POST, are lengthy, causing delays in server discovery and preventing pre-configuration by management software until boot completion, impacting performance and requiring unnecessary reboots for feature activation or deactivation.

Innovation Solution

A BIOS feature descriptor file is used to preconfigure server hardware before boot-up by the BMC, which scans and relays relevant data to server management software, allowing early configuration and minimizing reboot events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If BIOS execution and POST are performed during boot-up, then hardware diagnostic testing is ensured, but server boot-up time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware diagnostic testingVSAvoidserver boot-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing hardware configuration and server discovery activities before the BIOS boot-up process completes. The BMC executes discovery protocols and configures hardware resources in advance, so that when the OS boots, the hardware is already ready and configured, eliminating the need for post-boot discovery and reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If server management software waits for boot completion to discover server features, then accurate hardware information is obtained, but server discovery performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware information accuracyVSAvoidserver discovery performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables server management software to perform discovery and obtain hardware information in advance, before the BIOS boot-up completes. The BMC collects and reports server features, capabilities, and hardware status to management software during the boot process, allowing early configuration while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If hardware configuration is performed after boot-up, then system stability is maintained, but unnecessary reboot events occur for feature activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidreboot frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring hardware resources and activating features before the OS boot-up completes. The BMC performs discovery, identifies hardware capabilities, and applies configuration settings in advance, so that when the OS starts, all features are already activated and configured, eliminating the need for reboots to activate features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If BMC monitors hardware state during boot-up, then hardware status is accurately tracked, but boot-up time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehardware status trackingVSAvoidboot-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies continuity of useful action by having the BMC continuously monitor and report hardware status throughout the boot process rather than performing discrete monitoring steps. The BMC maintains ongoing communication with hardware components during boot-up, providing continuous status information to management software without interrupting the boot flow or adding significant delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS9965288B2Preconfiguring hardware and speeding up server discovery prior to bios boot

Publication Date: 2018.05.08 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Techniques are provided for preconfiguring hardware prior to BIOS boot up, and in particular, accessing a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) feature descriptor in the BIOS read only memory area, the BIOS feature descriptor comprising information associated with a BIOS of the server; and utilizing the BIOS feature descriptor, prior to boot up operations of the server, to configure hardware of the server.